Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has described Tottenham counterpart Gareth Bale as
one of the best players "not just in England, not just in Europe - in
the world."

Rafa Benitez's men take on Spurs tomorrow in what Mata has described as a cup final, as both teams challenge for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea are in pole position - currently three points ahead of Tottenham - but a victory for Andre Villas-Boas' men would mean three London clubs - Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal - are all within a point of each other with two games to go.

If Chelsea are to beat their London rivals at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, they will have to negate the threat of Bale - the player of the year and Tottenham's main attacking threat.

Mata said: "For me, Gareth is, right now, one of the best in the world. Not just in England, not just in Europe - in the world.

"He is able to decide a game as he did on Saturday (against Southampton). He has the pace, he has the quality, he is strong, he is very young.